For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Just checking in since it has been a few days since I blogged (okay more than a few but who's counting?). To give you an idea of how our lives are going here in East TN, here are just a few highlights of the past few days.....

*Youngest nephew graduated from high school (same school I went to only there was no police chase during HIS graduation - there was a police chase during mine - Go Cougars!)

*My dad came to visit for the weekend.

*We went to a Barbecue cook off and paid $10 to get in, but you couldn't actually EAT the barbecue. We found out that little detail AFTER we paid the $10. Apparently the Health Dept. said that the BBQ vendors could compete for prizes but no one could eat their food. It has been advertised on the radio and TV for weeks now, but no one mentioned that little (HUGE) fact.

*Kaden fell and broke his nose Saturday morning. I have always told my kids "If you are going to do something, do it right".....he must have listened because he did a number on his little nose. It looks much better today than the past few (he looked like another kid - nothing like my sweet little baby-faced Kaden). We go to the ENT today at 1:00 to hopefully have it "set and splinted". If it is too bad to set, they will have to put him to sleep. I know that there are parents at St. Jude's who would give anything if all that was wrong with their child was a broken nose, so I am trying to keep that in mind as I am tempted to cry when I look at him.

*Don't tell Kaden, but he is so pitiful right now that he could pretty much ask for anything and I would do it, get it, go to it for him......it breaks my heart to see his little black eyes and crooked nose.

*Lake's last day of school is tomorrow (1/2 day). My personal opinion is that kids should never go to school before Labor Day and never be in school after Memorial Day, but the School Board has never asked for my opinion, sooooo ........

*We are finally finished building our house, but now another house is being started across the street.......guess it's our turn to be annoyed by hammers, nail guns, concrete trucks, delivery trucks, etc..... ;-( What comes around truly does go around, huh?

*We had Memorial Weekend off from t-ball/baseball.......it was a much needed break, but baseball is back on tonight......Kaden's t-ball team will have to do without him for a couple of games, I suppose......He thinks they will lose if he doesn't play.....how does one teach a kid humility without causing him to have low self-esteem? ;-)

Time to get ready for the Dr. -- should be fun---- ER doc mentioned shots in the nose and face....Kaden is never happy about shots. Taking my mom with me for moral support and backup.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

I was just reading my Facebook page. I have noticed a distrubing trend on Facebook.....unashamed promotion of sin. Yes, I know it isnt something new, but it seems to be getting much worse. Okay, you might be thinking I sound like a preacher from the 1800's when I say that, but hear me out on this (or read me out as the case may be). The Bible says we should not do anything to cause our brother to stumble, right? Yet, I see Christians on Facebook (and out in public as well) promoting their sin as if it isnt sin at all. Are you pickin' up what I'm throwin' down here? It's one thing for a non-believer to promote and glorify their sin....that's just what nn-believers do.....they do not believe in God, so they dont see sin as sin, but they see it as fun. But for believers (or "so-called" believers) to blatantly and openly advertise for satan on their Facebook status, well, it just bothers me to no end.

It begs the question(s), do we really believe that God is real, and that He actually is Holy? Do we believe He expects US to be Holy? Do we REALLY believe Jesus is coming back (and SOON)? And do we even CARE how He will find us? Are our actions and words building other believers up in the faith or are thy causing them to stumble?

Some would say "What is sin to you, may not be sin to someone else"....I beg to differ! The Bible explains sin to us pretty clearly, and I think it's safe to say if there is a question, it is always better to err on the side of caution. In other words, if what you are doing could ruin your witness or cause a Christian brother or sister to sin, it's best not to do it.

Before you accuse me of being "holier than thou", let me just say that I'm not claiming to be perfect, as a matter of fact, I hate to think of the times in my life that I have been a poor witness for Jesus.......

I feel as though sin holds no more shame for the believer than it does for the unbeliever anymore.........I suppose it's a sign of the last days when even the church will fall away and you guys know I am all about prophecy, but shameless promotion of sin on the part of believers is troubling to me. I hope it troubles you too.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Okay, I have about three minutes (literally) to say hey to my blog peeps. I have about a million - gillion things I should be doing rather that sitting in this floor typing.....yes, the computer is still in the floor. This moving thing is a slow go, huh? Anyway, I just wanted to write a few lines and let you know I am still alive and kicking...or should I say still alive and barely breathing? Whatever. No big random post, but here are a few random things I need to get off my chest......in a short amount of time...........

1. As I was watching the train wreck that is American Idol last night, it occurred to me that I was sitting there watching darkness take over my living room. That Kate Perry who sang reminded me of a Vegas karaoke show gone bad (although she was better than some of the other AWFUL singers AI has hosted lately). She looked like Elvis meets WWF meets Betty Boop! Everyone loved her! What????!!!! The dark part is that Danny (who I really think is the best singer - and not just because he is a Christian) was sent home in favor of a goth looking gay guy who screams out rock songs and America thinks he is the bomb! As we were watching, my husband said "What are we doing? It is so sad that America has come to this. Thinking this abomination is entertainment"......It is so true. I love American Idol, but some of the things we have been seeing the past several weeks are not entertainment....they are sin on stage and we are becoming immune to the sight of it. It's a big deal when One Nation Under God decides that morals mean nothing and that the dark side is the right side.

2. I thought yesterday was Thursday......so imagine my surprise/horror when I wake up to another Thursday today......

3. Remember when I told you I was freakishly strong? Yeah? Well, I still am. Today is junk removal day in our city and yesterday I single- handedly (well, I used 2 hands but they were both mine) moved our old couch (all 8 ft of it) out to the road so it could be removed this morning. I might run away with the circus to be a "strong woman" side/freak show.

4. I am 36 yrs old and freakishly strong, but also completely stupid at times. I spent 4 1/2 hours at Lake's field day Tuesday and did not put on sunscreen. Needless to say the heat radiating off my arms, legs and face could melt butter faster than a microwave. I am on Fiyah!!!! Did you know that too much time in the sun can cause blisters on your lips? And did you also know that those blisters HURT????? I'm just sayin' that kind of thing COULD happen, not that I know from experience ..........

5. Kaden (5) is playing t-ball and Lake (almost 8) is playing baseball.....we have never had 2 kids in sports at the same time until now.....why didn't someone tell me we would never see our home again until the season is over?????

6. Lake is playing actual baseball (not t-ball) and after the first game, I realized we are playing for blood now. They are 8-9 years old, who knew? The parents and coaches are s-e-r-i-o-u-s! This could get ugly before the season is over.......

Well, that is all I have time for....I have gone over my three minute limit, so I better say good-bye for now. Steve and Missi at Jesus Is Lord, if you are reading this, I have not (repeat) have not forgotten you! I WILL be back sometime! For those of you who are interested in Bible prophecy and how current events relate to it, check out the Jesus Is Lord blog.

I wish I had a few more minutes to catch up on your blogs....it is gonna take me years to catch up with you all......so much can happen in a few short weeks! Have a great day!!!

Friday, May 8, 2009

It's no secret that I hate feet. I guess hate may be too strong a word....how about if I just say I don't like the look of feet? I have never seen a pretty foot and just the thought of feet kind of grosses me out (other than baby feet - baby feet are cute). I appreciate feet for their usefulness, but they are simply not aesthetically pleasing to my eye....any of them (sorry, don't mean to offend anyone or your feet). As I sat down to type this, feet came to my mind for some odd reason, so I did a Bible Gateway search of the word "feet" and got 262 results. (I promise I am going somewhere with this....stick with me). Alot of those results were relating to measure, such as in Ezra where the temple was to be built 90 feet high and 90 feet wide. Or in Esther where Haman had (his own ;-) gallows built 75 feet high. And you will remember that Goliath was over 9 feet tall compared to David who was just a young boy. Other references to feet were about people whose feet were lame like Mephibosheth and Jonathan. Or what about when Ruth lays beside Boaz and uncovers his feet waiting to see if he will fight to be her kinsman redeemer? There are verses about foot washing, feet being like feet of deer, feet being cut off, people walking on foot, wiping dust from feet and moving on, enemies being under our feet, the feet of those who bring Good News being blessed......the Bible is full of references to feet.But......The foot references I like the best are the ones where people fall at the feet of Jesus. I wont list them all, but over and over in the Gospels we see people falling on their knees in the presence of Jesus---falling at His feet.

Mark 5:33Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth.

Mark 5:22Then one of the synagogue rulers, named Jairus, came there. Seeing Jesus, he fell at his feet

Luke 7:44Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.

Luke 7:45You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet.

When we see Jesus we will all fall at His feet in worship. Have you ever pictured the moment when you will finally see Jesus face to face? I've never seen Jesus face to face before, but I have a feeling that there wont be much face time in our first "in-person" meeting......I have a feeling there will be more "feet-time" than anything. I just bet that face to face will quickly turn into face to feet (our face to His feet) and I am positive that those will be the sweetest, most aesthetically pleasing feet any of us will have ever seen.

Take a minute and try to picture what it will be like when you touch Jesus for the first time in person. Picture in your mind's eye what it will be like when He actually touches you. Whatever you mentally picture will pale sadly in comparison to the real thing, but I promise whatever struggles you are going through today will become irrelevant when you picture yourself falling at the feet of Jesus.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Hey guys! I am sitting here in the floor of the "office" in our new house. On the floor because we haven't brought the desk or chair to the new house yet.....we move like we build....slowly. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I am still alive. We are working like mad to try to get everything done. We have been staying at the new house for a week and a half, but we still have some stuff at the old house to bring here (or throw away or yard sale). The problem has been we haven't had more than a few hours at a time to do anything. It seems that baseball, t-ball, AWANA, nephew's wedding, guitar lessons, hub's work, and just life in general have completely gotten in the way of moving. I haven't even gotten to sit on my new furniture for more than 2 minutes (and I am not exxaggerating at all unfortunately). Hopefully, this week will be more productive.

One thing I have learned over the past couple of weeks while I have been out of pocket (ie. off the blog and off facebook) is that I need fellowship with you guys. I need encouragement from my Christian friends. You guys give me a lift everyday and I am so thankful for your influence in my life. My day goes better knowing that I have Christian friends who encourage me and are "doing life" and have struggles just like I do. It's good to know that I am not alone in this crazy busy life....so thank you all for being my friend (even though I have never even seen some of you in person).

I have had a heavy heart about a lot of things lately (which proves that new stuff doesn't bring you happiness --- did ya hear that? Stuff DOES NOT bring happiness). I got in the shower this morning and it was as if the Lord said "Beth, this stuff isn't for YOU to deal with....give it to ME and let Me work it out." So, today, I am trying my best to let Him deal with my "stuff" and keep my nose out of it.......pray that I can hand over the worries and keep my eyes focused on Him and I will pray the same thing for you, okay?

Thursday, April 16, 2009

So, we're finally moving. We are moving the same way we built the house...SLOWLY. Slowly because we have so much stuff (ie. junk)- stuff we need, stuff we don't need, stuff we never needed, stuff nobody should keep. Pack rats, we are. I hope you all are well. I am itching to take time to look at blogs and catch up on all of you, but time is in high demand. I have been packing a few hours, then going on Facebook for a few minutes just to keep in touch with the real world.....well, the real-fake world via the Internet.

Aside from my nasty house, busy-ness has caused me to neglect my landscaping. There are weeds EVERYWHERE! I hate them -even the ones that have blooms on them (a weed is a weed even if it flowers, but don't tell my boys who are constantly picking dandelions for their mama). If I had time I would stomp right out there and pluck each and every one of them and happily throw them in the garbage. If I had time.

Have you ever noticed that sin is like that? Sometimes we just don't have time to deal with it..... or maybe it's more like we just don't want to deal with it. We have to hate the sin in our lives so much we cant wait to pull it up and throw it out. If we don't hate sin, we let it grow and it will eventually take over our hearts until the are covered. Those blooming weeds? After a while we tend to see them as pretty and normal.....just like those sins we allow to remain in the garden of our hearts - we have to get rid of the sins that look pretty before we see them as normal. Make sense? Maybe not to you, but it makes perfect sense to me ;-)

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Hey Friends.....yes, you are all still my friends even though I have not visited your blogs in a couple of weeks. I am on a self-imposed, necessary blogging break as we are packing and moving. We are taking things slowly (just as we did while building our house - yes, it took us forever). Anyway, I honestly have had no time to sit down and type a post. So much to say, no time to say it. Puts me in a pickle for sure.

So, I hope you guys don't forget about me while I am on hiatus. I have surely not forgotten you all. I pray that you all have a wonderful Easter and I pray that none of us get caught up in the eggs and candy, but remember what Easter really means.

Wouldn't you love to have been there when that stone rolled away? If that stone was still there, you and I would be on our way to eternal hell.....I am thankful for the Cross, but I am also thankful for the rolling stone!!!

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Thursday, March 26, 2009

To all my blog readers (nearly 400 of you per day)and all my commentors (nearly 8 of you per post - what up with that?): I would like to apologize in advance for the poor grammar and poorly constructed sentences in the following post (and previous posts for that matter). I seem to have a sinus infection that is causing me not to be able to produce a coherent thought.

It's raining again. Which is okay since we need the rain (we're hoping for a thick, lush lawn at the new house, but will take whatever we can get at this point), but it is not a good thing for those of us who have a sinus infection and an active TB type cough. Seriously, I have come close to hacking up a lung for the past week! I took some of the hubs cough meds night before last and had a cough medicine hangover for 48 hours....I'm still not over it! I have the kind of sinus issues where you turn your head and it takes a few minutes for it to actually get there....make sense to anybody? Probably not, since nothing I have said for the past week has made sense.

I thought it was time for a little randomness (that, and I couldn't think of anything of substance to write). So, here goes it:

First off......I have several "issues" with Facebook. Don't get me wrong, I am addicted to Facebook and I love it, but some things just totally get on my nerves. For example, how they change layouts as soon as I get used to the old one. Or how everyone uses it to brag on themselves. Or how everyone has to tell us in their status update every time they go to the gym (seriously, is it a FB rule that you have mention every time you head for the gym? I'm glad people are exercising, but do we have to hear about every crunch and lunge?). Or how people who use their status update to try to brag without being obvious about it - IE. "John Doe is tired from my long, difficult, and very expensive trip to sight-see in Europe" or "Jane Doe is so thankful that she can still fit in her size 3 shorts from last summer" or "John Doe is so tired of long meetings, but I suppose that is why I make 6 figures" and I wont even comment about the people who are constantly telling us how "hot" their spouse is.........can I get a witness???? Is it just me?? Please tell me I am not alone here. I am all about sharing what you are doing with you FB friends, but do we really need to know how much your car, your watch, and your 12 karat diamond ring cost???

As I was doing laundry and cleaning toilets this morning, something occurred to me: "What if I have actually reached my full potential?".......I mean what if I have been away from the "working outside the home" world so long, that cleaning toilets IS my full potential??

Monday was one of the most horrible days I can remember. A delivery service that works for SEARS delivered our new washer/dryer to the house (old ones are over 15 yrs old - R.I.P. old w/d). The men brought them in boxes and sat them in our laundry room floor. One man starts telling me how to install them when I say "We paid for you guys to install them". He looked at me like I had two heads and then he said, "Well, we'll have to take them back outside and take them out of the boxes then. I'll be right back."......I waited for about 10 minutes and looked outside to see what they were doing. This is the good part......THEY WERE GONE!!!!!! Left. Outta there. Needless to say, I called the company and they fell all over themselves trying to make it right. The same man showed up the next day to install the washer/dryer and the first words out of his mouth were : "I understand we had a miscommunication yesterday".............Is there a law against being a liar??? Or against being stupid???? Just curious (and yes, I know we don't say the words liar or stupid in my house).

So, I have told you that we have a car wash. That's right folks, I spend my days emptying trash and shoveling up junk - unfortunately, life ain't all Bon Bons and high tea for me. I do man's work....and lots of it. Anyway, shortly after the "Great Washer/Dryer Debacle of 2009", I looked out my window to see a wrecker with a dune buggy on the back at the car wash. That is not an abnormal sight except for the fact that the dune buggy was lodged into the side of the car wash. Damage was done, minor damage, but damage nonetheless. I walked over to the wrecker driver and the lady that was with him and before I could open my mouth she started calling me every name in the book. Cussing. Like a sailor. That has been in prison. For years. In front of her small children. I told her that I would need her name and number...she wouldn't give it to me. I told the driver I would need his and he gave me the name "John Jones"......yeah. Well. I didn't think it was enough damage to call the police, especially since I got their tag number and had two witnesses, but I did get a good cussing out for what reason I do not know (apparently she thinks I am a dog, have no daddy, and she uses God's name in the wrong context). So, in case you were wondering, gone are the days when people damage your property and say they are sorry. Now they violently tell you off........be prepared. The world has gone to hell in a hand basket.

For the record, I hate all buffets....just thought I would throw that out there.

Well, I would write more random thoughts, but to be honest I have none. My neurons are not all firing at this point. For those of you who have read this far (mom) I appreciate your reading my rant. For those of you who didn't read this far - you missed your opportunity for a good nap --- seriously, this post is like Nyquil - it will definitely put you to sleep ;-).

Sunday, March 22, 2009

I am back from Spring Break and wishing that it wasn't over. It was a stupid idea for Spring Break to only last a week. It's funny how I look forward to school breaks for my child even more than I did for myself when I was in school. I think that makes me officially old or weird.....or both.

I suppose you have noticed that I haven't been blogging much lately (or maybe you don't really care - if so, feel free to click that little X at the top right of your screen - hahaha). The truth is that life is so busy right now that I rarely know whether I am coming or going. What I DO know is that blogging takes thought and usually by the time I sit down to blog, I am so tired that thought is an impossibility. I have lots of thoughts - the problem is getting them from my head to this blog. So, please forgive me for being absent from the comment section of your blog. It's not you - it's me (and all the things that life is throwing at me right now;-). Hopefully life will settle down soon. Hopefully.

I hope to be back later in the week with some of my usual mind-numbing randomness, but for now, I wanted to share something that I have been thinking alot about lately: Entitlement.

Why entitlement? Well, in the past couple of weeks, I have heard more than a couple of people say that they "deserve" this or "deserve" that. I actually heard one friend say, "I deserve to be happy". Well, the truth is that we all deserve one thing : hell. None of us deserves to be happy. We don't deserve ANYTHING, but God chooses to bless us with things like happiness, children, homes, etc. We have done NOTHING to deserve any of our blessings, yet if we are honest with ourselves, we all have a sense of entitlement when it comes to the things this world has to offer.

Truth be known, many people feel they deserve to go to heaven. Deserve to go to heaven? The Bible tells us that "it is by Grace we are saved, not by works lest any man should boast"....and we are great at boasting, aren't we? Our society has made us into a bunch of ingrates. Think about it.....when someone doesn't want to work, they are entitled to welfare. When a business is poorly managed and corrupt, our government races in to bail it out (regardless of the fact that CEO's are making millions and millions of dollars). How about our kids? Most kids today are being raised to believe that everyone owes them something, that they are entitled to have whatever they want and that they deserve all the "stuff" that they get. Gratefulness is a foreign concept to most children nowadays.....and sadly, most adults.

Our society is so focused on what they think they "deserve" that there is no room for God in the picture. When everyone feels they are entitled to every little thing their heart desires, the Cross is minimized and Grace is pushed to the side. We are rarely thankful for the things we feel entitled to, which may be the reason even Christians take for granted what Jesus did on the Cross.

So many people (Christians included) spend their time asking "Why me?", when the question is really "Why NOT me?". There are people in other countries (some even in this one) that have so little they are thankful for any little thing they are given. Go on a mission trip to another country and thousands of people will accept the gift of salvation, but knock on a few American doors and you will find people so arrogant and self-sufficient that they don't see a need for God (and they definitely don't think they need the church).

I am as guilty as the next person when it comes to feeling that I deserve the blessings God has given me, but my prayer is that I will get out of the mindset of entitlement and become more thankful ....in every area of my life and for everything God has blessed me with.

Saturday, March 14, 2009

So, I am off the blog for a week or so....it's spring break and the fam and I are having some adventures. If you didn't read my previous post, you will want to look at it....there is a giveaway involved that you wont want to miss.

While I am away, I thought it might be fun to leave something for you to ponder....something that I have been thinking alot about lately.....

True Christian, what differentiates you from non-Christians? When non-believers look at you and your life, what is it that lets them know you are a child of God? What EXACTLY makes you different from those who have no relationship with Jesus and what would a non-believer say it is that sets you apart from the rest of the world?

You dont have to answer in comments, although you are free to do so, but I think it's a question we all need to ask ourselves. Do we really act like a royal priesthood or do we look just like everyone else?

Okay, this might be the shortest post in the history of blogging. My friend Stephanie is hosting a giveaway. If you love Mandisa, then you wont want to miss this. If you love the Lord, you wont want to miss Stephanie's blog because she does too....and you will be blessed. Off to do some spring breaking....be back in a week.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

This morning on the way to school, Lake was annoyed with Kaden. I am not sure what Kaden did to Lake because they were in the backseat while I was driving, but whatever it was....Lake was mad. He turned to Kaden and in a loud, angry voice said "WILL YOU STOP THAT!!?!!". The funny part is that when he said it, he sounded and looked just like me. The irritation in his voice, the sharp tone, the evil eye....just like me. Did I say that was the "funny part"? Yeah, well.... what I should have said is "sad part". Lake has heard me reply to him with irritation in my voice (more than once I might add) and in a "less than sweet" tone. Patience may be a virtue, but it's one that I don't naturally possess.

We all know that kids learn behavior from their parents. My kids spend most of their time with me so it's no wonder they would speak and act like me. We humans tend to take on the traits of those we spend the most time with.....ya smell what I'm cookin' here?

Maybe if I spent with the Lord, His traits would become mine and in turn they would also become my children's traits..........

I know it sounds so simple, but it's something I need to hear everyday.....The more time we spend with the Lord, the more we become like Him....and that's THE GOAL....to be like Jesus. We can teach our kids all kinds of valuable life lessons, but if we don't teach them to be like Jesus all those lesson are useless.

Yes, I think "Be Holy for I am Holy" might just be the most valuable lesson our kids will ever learn.....but, it wouldnt hurt for us as parents to learn it first.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

When we were little and my sister or I would say "I hate so and so", our parents would smack our mouths and say "You do not hate them, you just dislike their actions".......since "hate" is a bad word at my house (along with stupid, dumb, b-tt, no, and many more - email me for a complete list of words that my kids cannot say), I decided NOT to title this post "I hate winter" (as originally intended). I guess I dont really hate winter, but as I get older, I dislike it more and more.

Why do I dislike winter? Well, I cant stand to be cold and I dislike sickness very much, and we all know that along with winter comes cold and sickness. For instance, I spent a couple of hours in Lake's pediatrician's office "sick" waiting room yesterday (with all the other mothers in the Tri-City area). Turns out that Lake has what is called "Flu Type B". If you will remember, it was only 2 weeks ago that Steve and Kaden had "Flu Type A". I am praying that there is no such thing as "Flu types C, D, E, or F" because at the rate we are going I am sure that we would get them all. And ya'll I am not the least bit interested in the Flu alphabet.

Also, I dont mean to sound ungrateful, but we have spend over $500 in three weeks on flu meds (do not get me started on how insurance and pharmaceutical companies are robbing us blind!).

Truth be told, I would rather have hemmorhoid surgery and a root canal than for my kids to be sick.....no! Scratch that! I would rather have hemmorhoid surgery WHILE having a root canal with NO anasthesia than for my kids to be sick!!! (okay, maybe the no anasthesia part is going a little too far, but the rest is really true!).

It's funny. My boys are used to being together. They sit right beside each other while they watch TV....much of the time with their arms around each other. They sleep together curled up like two little puppies in a ball. They lay in the floor with their little heads together and draw pictures. But when one of them is sick, I am constantly having to tell them to move away from each other. If I had a dollar for every time I have said "Please dont get in his face", I would be rich. They really would not know what to do without each other.....sweet.

So, I guess you all have noticed that I have become what I used to despise-- a blog neglector. I have been remiss in my self imposed blog duties. I spend most of my days running errands and carting kids to and from activities. I get up at 6 am and before I know it, it's 9:30 pm. How does that happen? I mean how do we get so busy that we have no idea where our day went? How do mothers with 5 or 6 children do it? I will never know.

I just wanted you all to know that the reason I have not been commenting on your blogs is not necessarily because I havent read them, but because I havent had time to type out comments. Well, at least comments that are semi-intelligible/intelligent.

In other random news, I think I may have turned into an angry old Republican man. Let me explain. I was working at our new house the other day. The painters are frantically working so we can move in before the return of our Dear Lord. While they work, they listen to (very loud) music. Music of the Rock variety. Now, I dont say anything because I feel that upbeat music makes one work faster and I have to say that I grew up in the 80's, so I am no stranger to rock music (ie. I know every word to the songs they are listening to - remember: God said not to judge). Anyhoo, as I was working, the song "Born in the U.S.A." came on the radio. We all know the words, but it doesnt hold the same appeal for me that it used to when I was younger. (This is where I become and angry old Republican man). I know now that Bruce Springsteen is an outspoken liberal who has used his celebrity status to help defeat conservative candidates. And it just plain makes me mad that celebrities think we are so ignorant that we care what they think about politics. Newsflash: The average American COULD NOT CARE LESS what Bruce Springsteen or any other Hollywood actor thinks about politics. Who died and made him "Boss"? And who is Bruce Springsteen "the boss" of anyway?

Moving on.........I wonder if you all would think less of me if you knew that Steve, the kids, and I think it's fun to go to Sam's Club and eat dinner? (Again, Judge not lest ye be judged). We love to go to Sam's and get hot dogs, pizza,cokes, and ice cream for dessert. We sit and watch people and talk about what we are going to buy and the best part is that all four of us can eat for $10. Yeah, we're classy like that.

This morning, Lake woke up with a nosebleed. A huge nosebleed - we are talking lots of blood here. His nose has never bled before, so I thought I should call the Dr. to see if it might be a side effect of the Flu and see what I needed to do. I asked for a nurse and told her the story. She asked me what I was doing to stop the bleeding, I wasnt exactly sure what to do for a nosebleed because we have never had one before (ummmm, that's why I am calling a Doctor??? Hello????). She was so rude to me and acted like I was a total idiot for not knowing how to stop a nosebleed (let me just add that I love our Dr's office, we know most everyone there and they are always very nice, well until today).

I think it says something for my intelligence level that I knew enough to know that I didnt know what to do and to call someone who supposedly does. So, after making me feel stupid (and yes, I know stupid is a bad word) she told me to pinch the top of his nose and hold it AND (this is the weird part) to tear off a piece of a brown paper bag, roll it up and place it in his upper lip..........AND I'M THE STUPID ONE?????? Okay, maybe I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed, but does the average Joe out on Main Street REALLY know that a paper bag between the teeth and gums stops a nosebleed???? (Sadly, My mother just called and when I told her his nose was bleeding she asked "Did you put a paper bag in his lip?" ....Apparently I am the only one in America that does not know a paper bag stops nose bleeds....P.S. Dont tell me if you knew that already. I feel stupid enough already without your two cents. Thank you.)

Okay, I suppose those of you who have read this far have been punished enough. Thank you for reading this and if you think of it, say a prayer that Lake will get better soon and the rest of us will stay healthy. Neither our nerves or our bank accounts can handle any more sickness.

I will leave you with some pictures of us from the Monster Truck Race we went to a couple of weeks ago. You know, you might be a redneck if you like to eat dinner at Sam's and go to Monster Truck shows.....I hope these pics of my family with ear plugs in our ears watching loud trucks with large tires does not change your image of me (although I fear it will just reinforce what you already knew;-).

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Like my friend Cassie, I have been thinking of changing up the blog. I am over all things winter and ready to move on to spring (well actually summer, but we all know spring has to come first). What do you guys think of this background? It seems like I have seen it on someone's blog recently, but I cant remember whose it is, so I hope I havent stolen anyone's blogskin (if I have, let me know and I will change it really quicklike). Let me know what you think......we'll see if it stays for more than a day or two ;-). You guys know I have a problem making decisions, right?

Monday, March 2, 2009

So, it's Monday. Not my favorite day of the week....usually not even my second favorite day. And this has definitely been a Monday (sad part is that it is only 1:20 pm - there are several more hours to go until Tuesday rolls around). I wont bore you with the details, but let's just say that "life is tedious today".

Anyway, I thought I would check in and post my new memory verses. It's a familiar one to most of you....the first part of it I already knew, it's the second part that I will have to learn.

Hebrews 4:12-13For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Why did I pick these verses?

Well, because I need to remember that God's Word is relevant to me today....and everyday until He calls me into His presence where He can speak to me face to face. His word speaks to us in the way we need to hear it - you can read a verse today and it will speak to you differently than it will tomorrow - no other book can do that (because no other book is divinely inspired by the One True God - and no other book is "living and active").

Through His word I can get a glimpse of Who God is and what He expects of me. He uses His word to show love, to rebuke, and to cause me to change directions.......and to remind me that when I sin, I sin against Him.........nothing I do, say, think or feel is hidden from Him, He knows it all - the good, the bad and the ugly, yet He loves me anyway........the Word is living and active, because "in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word WAS God".....These verses remind me that spending time in the Word IS ACTUALLY spending time with God Himself...... and quite frankly, I need to be reminded of that....often.

Friday, February 27, 2009

I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

Monday, February 23, 2009

Here is part of a post I wrote a long time ago....back when I only had about 50 or 60 blog hits per day and most of those were accidental. I am re-posting this because it has been on my mind for the past week or so.

Have you noticed that sometimes people are not what they seem? Sometimes we judge before we know the whole truth. Take me, for example....on a normal day, I can be found wearing nasty clothes emptying trash at our car wash or cleaning empty apartments for my father-in-law. I have found that people treat me differently when I am in my "work clothes". They treat me as if I am "less" than they are. Last fall, I was working at our new house tying the the steel rebar together so we could get the concrete poured....a new family moved in who did not know we actually owned the house and every time I waved at them, they looked away. I'm sure it is because they thought I was a worker instead of their neighbor.

Treating people differently because of their station in life is one of the BIGGEST character flaws I can think of, but that's not exactly what I'm talking about here.....

Ya'll, I believe with all my heart we are living in the last days. I truly believe that the Jesus has gotten up from His seat on the throne and is literally looking to His Father saying "Can I call for them?". We are privileged to be living in such an exciting time.

My concern is that there are many people who go to church every Sunday, who even work in the church, but do not truly have a relationship with Jesus. Matthew 7:21 says "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." We all know that Satan is prowling the earth seeking those he can destroy. Satan's goal is to cause the true Christian to fall so that their witness is left in ruins and to keep those who are not yet believers from truly trusting Christ.

In his quest to keep people from trusting God, satan sometimes causes Christians to have a dull conscience when it comes to sin. He also causes those who "think" they are saved (by works) to continue in their religion and never see that we are saved by grace and not by works. My fear is that there are people who may be close to us all that put on a good act. People who we see at church every week who are active in the house of God, but not part of the Kingdom of God. I fear that we are evangelizing the lost in the world and forgetting the lost who sit in the pews every week.

The tribulation will be terrible (if you want to read about the events after the rapture see the article link below). The horror will be unimagineable. Think about the elderly who have been taught that you just have to "be good and do right" to go to heaven --they will be left behind without food or medical care. Unless they take the mark of the beast, they will starve to death. Think about the young who were old enough to accept Jesus, but just put it off (it could have been any one of us). They will be left to fend for themselves in an evil world without hope. Then think about the average capri pant wearing, Vera Bradley bag toting, ballet flat wearing young mommy. Maybe she thought her church membership saved her. Maybe she thought since her parents were saved she would be too OR maybe she thought that her confirmation or baptism as an infant would save her. Picture her standing over the crib of her precious little baby only to find the baby gone.

This is why we so need to be asking even those who we know fairly well if they truly know the Lord. We need to be dilligent and consistent in our witness and witnessing. I love to think about the Rapture and heaven. I can't wait to see Jesus up close and in person - I dream about it all the time (I just realized I am a Jesus groupie!). Our time here is so short. We are told to watch for His return, but also to work until He comes. There is lots left to do and we may just need to start in our own Judea, no, in our own house of worship.

"In the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24), Jesus revealed to His disciples that the primary sign of the end of the age and His soon return would be the restoration of Israel as a nation. However, He didn’t plainly say so. Instead, He once again used the fig tree as a metaphor for the nation of Israel:“Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its buds become tender and its leaves begin to sprout, you know without being told that summer is near. Just so, when you see the events I’ve described beginning to happen, you can know his return is very near, right at the door. I assure you, this generation will not pass from the scene before all these things take place. Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will remain forever.” Matthew 24:32-35 (NLT)

The fig tree is Israel. It’s been six decades since Israel was once again declared a nation against all worldly odds. In Matthew 24, Jesus promises that the generation which witnesses the reestablishment of Israel will not die off until the end of the age comes to pass. Given the Bible’s impeccable track record, we have every reason to expect His imminent return. Jesus will return soon, within our generation, and a wise person will prepare accordingly.Just as the time of His first coming was clearly revealed to the previous generation, the season of His Return has been clearly revealed to ours. The previous generation was unprepared for His arrival. Ours should be watching with a patient and enduring faith, fully confident in the glory we are about to witness. Christ is coming. The fig tree is in bloom, and ours is the generation. "

Now, that, my friends, ought to make you jump up and have a Holy Ghost spell!!!

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Just as I was feeling guilty about not blogging this week since Monday, I looked at my sidebar and noticed that I am not alone in losing my bloggy touch.....there are many others who haven't blogged in over a week....some, who will remain nameless (unless you look at my sidebar) haven't blogged in over a month.......Anyway, I have an excuse (don't I always?). The hubs and Kaden have had the flu....the type A flu, which is apparently worse than type B....not that I know anything about the flu or its types. What I DO know is that when your kid and husband have the flu, the Dr. prescribes medicine for the whole family and it costs $75 per person (even if you have good insurance it costs $75)......oh, and I know that stinks.

But I know people who dont have insurance at all or people that dont have a job at all, so I suppose I should be happy with $75....but it still strikes fear in the heart of a person when you drive up to the window at Walgreens and the total they give starts with a 3 and ends with the word hundred.

SIDENOTE: As I am typing this semi-post, Kaden is watching Little House on the Prairie.....he thinks that it was set in the time that I was little (I guess because I told him that I used to love it when I was a girl)......he wants to know if I had to collect eggs out of a chicken house and sell them at a store when I was little or if we rode to town in a wagon...... sad part is, I feel that old some days.

So, just to update you, we are thinking about taking our boys to a Monster Truck show this weekend......and no, there could not be a more redneck thing to do. But, when you have boys, you do what they like and right now, my boys love Gravedigger.....it's hard being the only girl in the house sometimes.....I mean, what on earth does a self- respecting female wear to a Monster Truck show anyway? I don't own any leather and my halter tops are all at the cleaners (do be afraid -its a joke- I don't really own a halter)....anyway, if we go, I will be needing some advice as to what to wear, because the last thing a girl wants to do is look out of place in a room full of rednecks, dirt, and over sized trucks that flatten Winnebagos. So, Monster Truck Show? Yeah that's how we roll here in the south.

I do have some more "spiritual" things to say, but no time to type them today, so maybe tomorrow I can be back with something worthwhile for you to read.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Hey guys!!! Long time no blog, huh? Life seems to get more tedious by the day and blog time has been limited to say the least. Lately, the only time I have had to blog has been after everyone is in bed, and I have to admit that sleep has won over blogging every time.

This past weekend, our church sponsored a "Parent Connect" weekend. The guest speaker was Steve Wright, the Student Minster at Providence Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC. Our student pastor heard Steve on the radio with Dr. Dobson and decided our church family needed to hear what he had to say. And we did.

Did you know that 70% of teens who are involved in a church youth group will stop attending church within two years of their high school graduation? SEVENTY PERCENT. That means that only 30 percent of the youth in your church's youth group will not "graduate from God" when they graduate from high school. A sad fact, but a true one.

Steve Wright contends that the reason for this is that parents are not discipling their own children, but depending on a couple hours a week with a youth pastor to do the work for them. Unfortunately, I think he is right. The problem is that most parents are not equipped to disciple their kids because they don't spend enough time with the Lord OR with their kids. Many parents cannot disciple their children because they are not spiritually mature enough to do so. Again, sad, but true.

Mr. Wright says the key to discipling your kids is simple: Treasure Christ above everything else. Our kids know what is most important to us....they know what we value most and statistics say that parental influence is greater than any other influence on children. What does that mean? If we value Jesus most in our life, our kids are more likely to value Him most in theirs.

What I want most in life is for Jesus to be first in my kids' lives....which means I need to let them know He is undeniably first in mine.

So, with that in mind, I chose Deuteronomy 6:5-7 as my new LPM memory verses:

Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up

Thursday, February 12, 2009

I tried to write a blog post last night, but was so tired I couldnt even make a complete sentence (not that it has ever stopped me before ;-). Today I am running around like a chicken with its head cut off to get ready for Lake's V-day party tomorrow and do lots of new house errands - seriously, I have about 15 places to go today between the hours of 7:45 and 2:30......this afternoon is Lake's guitar lessone and then tonight its basketball. Hopefully, I will be back on the blog soon......

"The Lord your God is with youHe is MIGHTY to saveHe will take great delight in youHe will quiet you with His loveHe will rejoice over you with singing"

Monday, February 9, 2009

Last week? Blizzard (okay a 1/2 inch of snow). This week? Sunny and 70's......Only in the South, people, only in the Sunny South. You guys might have seen this a thousand times. If so, please disregard or watch and make it a thousand and one.

Friday, February 6, 2009

So, I have been AWOL from the blog this week due to circumstances beyond my control....okay, maybe not totally beyond my control, but I have been snowed in and have been playing with my boys the whole week....okay, not really snowed in like many of would consider snowed in........can you be snowed in with a 1/2 inch of snow? Our local school systems believe so. Many schools are out today and it is going to be 50 degrees. Go figure - snow in the south is really up to personal interpretation. A flake or two causes our grocery stores to sell out of every gallon of milk and every loaf of bread. Suffice it to say, southerners really don't know what to do with snow and ice (other than make snow cream and stay home).

Anyhoo, I really don't have anything blog worthy to say, so you know what that means.......

Personally, I believe every kid should get a few snow days each year....what fun is winter without snow days anyway???? The excitement of watching for your school system on the bottom of the news screen with the word "closed" beside it. Makes me happy just thinking about it. I have wished for Lake to be out for snow and he finally got two days in a row....problem is that he will have to make those days up and we don't know when . We have a little trip planned for spring break....it has just occurred to me that our snow day fun might upset our Spring Break fun. And that my friends, is no fun at all.

What's the moral of this story? Be careful what you wish for or you might be taking your kid to school in July or even worse, missing vacation because of snow days. Sadly, there is some truth to the saying "Play now, Pay later".

Since there was no church or basketball this week, I got to watch both episodes of American Idol in their entirety. (That never happens). I was cracking up at gay guy with earrings in his lips and a headband around his hair- oh the drama! Or what about the girl with the hair that is actually the color red? What up with that? The girl with the freaky laugh makes me cringe and I mean that in the worst possible way I can think of -- cringe, I tell you. Where do they get these people anyway??? Also, "bikini girl" was most annoying. The girl cant sing well, so the only reason they sent her to Hollywood was because of her bikini. If she had been ugly, Randy would have said "It wasn't good for me, dog" and Simon would have simply said, "It was abysmal" (I am using that word a lot now, Abysmal- I like it). I predict that bikini girl will soon regret her decision to go on national TV (not to mention the #1 show) and try to sing while wearing next to nothing. I regret it for her! She will always be known as 'bikini girl', even after she has three kids and her bikini body has turned into a "fat granny skirt swimsuit" body.

What's the moral of this story?Don't use your body to gain the favor of men. Women will hate you and you will be embarrassed when stretch marks, flab, and extra pounds take over your bikini body.

I have seen several pics of new babies lately. Lots of friends having babies....lots of bloggers too. I have to admit that seeing these little ones kinda makes me want a little girl. Although I am not the kind of hair bow, dress, and American Girl doll kinda gal, I think a little girl would be fun.....that, and I am sooooo outnumbered here in a house of all boys. I do believe there is some truth to the phrase, "A son is a son until he takes a wife, a daughter is a daughter for all your life". I see all these people buying little pink outfits and wonder what it would be like to have a little girl of my own.......

Moral of this story? Stay away from people who have new babies 'cause it might get you in trouble and at my age I cant afford to be staying up all night with a newborn....beauty sleep is a must!

Yesterday, I was reminded of a time in Middle School when I wanted to fit in at any cost. A friend of mine who was on my cheerleading squad got the sides of her hair shaved (it was the 80's - everyone had weird hair!). Back long. Sides gone (well mostly gone). I liked the way it looked for some reason and so I did it too. The top of my hair was big (thanks to a body wave and Aquanet firm hold) and the back was just past my shoulders.....The sides? About 1/8 inch long.

Moral of this story? Don't compare yourself to others or you will end up with a mullet.

I am now being paid back for many things I did to my parents. When we go to the grocery store, my kids put things in the buggy when I am not looking and I have to take them out before I pay (they love to put toys and candy in there just to see what I will do - the other day it was a huge Spongebob pillow - they do it to see if I will notice). They think its funny. Me? Not so much. When I lived at home, I used to love to put different things in my mom's grocery cart to embarrass her. When she would reach the checkout and would start placing her items on the conveyor, she would realize what she had in her hand and be embarrassed in front of the check out clerk and other people behind her in line.

Moral of this story? Don't put condoms in your moms grocery cart because when she places them at the register for all to see, she will slap you in front of God and everybody.....and then she will say things like "I hope when you have kids, you get paid back for everything you have ever done to me" and you will...... you will be paid back in some way because God has a sense of humor.

Well, time to go and do something productive.......hopefully, I will be back soon with something of importance to say, but until then, have a great weekend!

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Lake was out of school yesterday because of a terrible snow storm that dumped a 1/2 inch of snow in our area ;-) (Greg and Mari, this is the point where you all laugh uncontrollably). Today he is out because of extreme cold? (It is 17 degrees outside right now....I think that is why they are out....the roads are clear, so cold is my guess). (Insert laughter). We have spent the past 2 days playing, eating, and playing some more and then eating some more. I just finished making the boys pancakes and now we are playing Playstation until its time for Lake's guitar lesson and then on to his basketball game. I assume I will be back on regular blog schedule tomorrow as the temps here will climb into the 50's........

Monday, February 2, 2009

It's time again for a new LPM memory verse. This time I picked Zephaniah 3:17:

The LORD your God is with you, He is MIGHTY TO SAVE. He will take GREAT DELIGHT IN YOU, He will quiet you with his LOVE, He will REJOICE OVER YOU with singing."

Why did I pick this particular verse?

Because I like it.

Schools let out at lunch time today because of an ice/snow storm that is moving in (there is ice in Knoxville which is just down the road from us). The problem is that the thermometer on my car says it's 40 degrees -- this may come as a chock to some, but this might not turn out to be much of a snow "event". The forecasters here are not necessarily known for their accuracy (but don't tell them that - they call themselves the "Accurate Storm Team"..........too bad they are not so accurate most of the time. I will say that there is some sleet coming down as I type........I did stop by the store for some cream in case it actually does snow. My kids would revolt if there was snow without making snow cream.

Yesterday, after church, I went to Kaden's bedroom to take a nap (which never happens here and I do mena never) and Lake came and rested with me. After we woke up, Kaden came in, jumped on the bed and hugged Lake's leg.....then he looked at me and said, "What? You never saw a guy hug a chicken leg before????" He also asked me if I thought it would be funny if he had some shorts that said "I heart Las Vegas" on the back........He has been singing really loud and asking "How'd ya like that, Simon?" Or "Was that good to you, Dog?" .........I really have no explanation for where he gets these things. Really I don't. BUT, I am thinking it might be time to limit American Idol watching around here.

I have been running errands since 7:30 this morning and I am not done (snow or no snow --- just like the mailman - rain, sleet, snow, hail, dark of night......exhaustion). Gotta run now, but will be back soon with lots and lots of fascinating things to say...........(okay, maybe fascinating is too strong a word ;-).

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Randomness......Long time, no random post. All serious and no randomness makes Beth a dull girl. I have been having randomness withdrawals....okay, maybe not withdrawals, but since I don't have anything else blog worthy to say today I thought that a little randomness may be in order..........read at your own risk preferably while drinking a strong cup of coffee.

First I would just like to say that I have been unaffected by the recent peanut butter scare. Even under threat of death, I continue to eat and love peanut butter.

Can someone tell me what sprucing up the National Mall has to do with stimulating the economy? Seriously. And while you are at it can you also tell me why they call it a mall? Can you shop there? No, so if we are going to spend all that money to "spruce it up", why don't we make it a real mall where people can actually purchase clothes, shoes and accessories? That, my friends, would stimulate the economy.

Also, would someone tell me why giving each American family $1 million dollars would not stimulate the economy? It would be cheaper than what they are proposing and it would pay off many delinquent mortgages thus eliminating the housing crisis. I think it's a brilliant plan. So, why didn't you people write me in as your candidate for President?

I just have to say that I believe Nancy Pelosi to be a forerunner of the anti-christ.

I like that Michelle Obama wears dresses instead of business suits all the time......that woman is like an amazonian. I thought their little girls were so cute in their little dresses and coats at the Obamathon that was the inauguration. Can you imagine being their age and living in the white house? Too cool.

I am still not happy that all our surrounding cities are placing video cameras at red lights. If you run the light, they take your picture and send you a ticket in the mail. I don't make a habit of running red lights, but should we really have to be on video everywhere we go? I just think this kind of thing is opening doors for big brother to watch us anywhere we go (even though I don't know exactly who big brother is or why he is called big brother) .

Blagojevich is a total nut. I cant believe Al Franken is even a contender for political office much less elected. The political scene in America gets stranger and stranger by the day.

If Bernie Madoff had made off with all my money, I think I might hunt him down and hurt him. Not kill him cause that would be wrong, but just mame him so that he would be in constant pain remembering what he did to me and all those other people who trusted him....but that's just me.

I watch one TV show all year. American Idol. This year, Lake has had a ballgame at 7:30 every night Idol has been on. Sometimes life isn't fair.

Yesterday, Kaden was watching a Disney movie and the characters were in a museum. The characters were walking with trepidation (that's my big word for the day) through this museum as "impending doom" music played. Kaden said, "Oooh No. They are in a museum and ALWAYS something terrible happens in a museum.....I am NEVER going to a museum!" I guess it's a good thing we aren't really cultured or sophisticated around here....he shouldn't have to worry since we don't frequent the museum scene.

Speaking of museums, when I went to Paris, we were in the Louvre and I was chastised by a "Museum Cop" for trying to take a pic of he Mona Lisa. What is up with that? Everyone in the world has already seen her and I cant even have a pic to prove I saw her in person?

I keep getting emails from people with weird names like "valkfyw892" and they want me to buy Viagra..........

I hate that Viagra commercials are on TV (and often), yet I will admit find them to be kind of funny. They always show grandma and grandpa hugging out in a field of daisies after a long bike ride......and then they give the warnings and side effects of the drug and then they tell the symptoms that require calling a doctor and I burst out laughing every time.........

My son has had lots and lots of homework lately....must be almost time for state standardized tests. Whatever happened to the good old days where if you didn't pass, they socially promoted you just so they didn't have to have you in class for another year? Not that I would know anything about that........I am just kidding, people! Only Kidding!!!! My son does have lots of homework, but he is an A student.

Speaking of the good old days.......I miss the days when you could call a business and talk to a real person or a real person who speaks English. Yesterday I had to call Sears to reschedule a delivery. It took me 20 minutes to finally get to speak with a human....my conversation went something like this:

Automated Computer with Woman's Voice: Thank you for calling Sears. Please say what department you need or wait for the tone to hear a list of departments.

(I listen to the list and find that Washers/Dryers is the department I need)

Associate: (in my best foreign Accent) Hello, this is Sanjay, how may I help you?

Me: disgusted, mad, wondering where the English speaking associates are and why I can never talk to a person FIRST..............after several "huh's?" and "excuse me's?" I finally got my delivery rescheduled............

Yesterday was cold and rainy here. This morning it was 62 degrees with gale force winds (okay, I added the gale force part, but the wind was very high). This afternoon it is supposed to snow...........do you see a pattern here? Yeah, me neither. What does the Bible say about "signs in the weather"? 62 in the morning and snow in the evening? Yeah, that has to be a sign.

Okay, sorry for the stream of consciousness that is this post.........for the two of you who are still awake and reading this.....Mom/Dad......I have one request of you both............send money.

Monday, January 26, 2009

So, (have you noticed I always start my posts with the word "so" - kinda makes it seem like I am talking to you in person)..........I wanted to share a little story with you about how God has worked in my life recently (I know He is always working, but this is a concrete example). I am in bit of a hurry, so please do not examine my grammar or spelling too closely.

Many of you know that Beth Moore and Travis Cottrell were at First Baptist Church of Woodstock, Georgia (where my dad works) this past weekend. Some of the LPM "Blogging Siestas" had planned a "little" get together (with each other AND Beth Moore!). I was invited by one of my favorite blog friends (Stephanie -Notes from the Soul- check out my sidebar - no time for linking) who lives near Woodstock to come and stay at her house for the weekend (yes, I know that my dad and sister live in Woodstock, but I really wanted to hang out with these girls for the weekend). Not only was I invited to stay with her, but she invited some other bloggers to stay who I really wanted to meet in person.

Anyhoo........I prayed about it for a month or so and I never really had peace about going. I just never got the go ahead from God. The hubs said go and my mom offered to watch the boys,but I never felt "right" about going. I SO wanted to go, but I knew it was not meant to be. I didn't understand why. I kept thinking, "Lord, why does everyone else get to go and I don't?". I mean these are my friends whom I have never actually gotten to see in person and Beth Moore for cryin' out loud! I kind of felt like I was missing the prom or something.

Sometimes God makes us wait for years to understand something and other times He reveals His plan immediately......this was one of the more immediate times. The hubs' grandmother died on Monday of last week. I knew that her death could not be the reason God didn't release me to go to Georgia for the weekend, after all, she died on Monday, the funeral was on Wednesday and I wouldn't be leaving until Friday or Saturday. What I didn't know and what God DID know is that because of the recent cold weather and snow, we wouldn't be able to have her burial until Saturday afternoon. He knew back in December when Fran and Stephanie asked me to come to Georgia, that the hubs' grandmother would die on Monday and not be buried until Saturday. God knew I would need to be there for my husband, our boys and for his family.

God knew what I needed long before I understood what He was doing.

Proverbs 16:1 says, "The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from Yahweh"..........in other words, we have all sorts of plans that we want to carry out, but without God's wisdom, they are useless because He knows the future. I had a plan in my heart to go to Georgia to hang out with my girls, but God had the wisdom to know that wasn't the best thing for me to do at that particular time. I love it when answers come quickly like they did this time, but it is important to remember that even when the answers don't come for years, God is still working and He still knows what we need when we don't understand what He is up to.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

In my last post, I told you that he hubs' grandmother passed away this week. We have been so busy with arrangements and services that I haven't had much time to blog or read blogs ;-(......hopefully in the next couple of days I will be back on track. I don't want this to become a photo blog (you guys know I have way too much to say for that to happen, right?), but I have some pics from the past couple of days that I wanted to share with you.........I know that a few inches of snow is nothing to our friends from up North, but to us a few inches is like a few feet! This is the south, people, let us have our snow moment no matter how pitiful it is! ;-)

Monday, January 19, 2009

So, I have been asking for snow for some time now and it seems that my request has been granted. It is snowing (hard) right now and has been for some time. We have about 3 inches so far and it doesn't look like it will quit any time soon. The weathermen are saying that we haven't seen the worst of it yet (okay, this is where you Northerners double over from raucous laughter). The kids are begging to go out and sled, but it is 31 degrees and pouring snow......it goes against everything in me to let them out in this right now, so they will have to wait until the snow stops. I know, bad mommy........

On a less happy note for us, the hubs' grandmother passed away this morning at around 4 am. She was 98 and had been in poor health for about a month and a half. Up until a month and a half ago she lived on her own and took care of herself. Funny lady and full of life even up until a few days ago. She will be missed by so many people, including all four of us. Even while she was in the hospital over the past few weeks, she could remember back to when she was 5 years old - this woman worked from the time she was a small child and when I say worked, I mean daylight to dark physical labor. If we had a question about how to do something, we knew we could call her because she knew how to do everything! Some of our funniest dinners, were when she came over to eat and told us stories from her younger days.I wish we had her stories on video to remind the boys when they are older what a fun great-grandmother they had. They will miss her, but they know she is with Jesus and we will see her again because of 'Christ in us, the hope of glory'.

I will probably be somewhat of a stranger to blog land until later in the week as we will be busy with funeral plans and services. If I get a chance this afternoon I will post some pics of the snow so those of you who are South-er than us can see some real snow and so you Northerners can see what we call real snow and laugh. See you guys later in the week!

This is a pic from last week when Kaden was so sick. I took his picture because he was so pitiful (and cute at the same time). He is sitting with a towel on his lap just in case.......

The boys filling goodie bags for Kaden's friends who came to the party.

Here is Kaden getting ready to ride go carts at the party with my sister's youngest child......

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

So, last week, I told you that my first memory verse of the year was Jeremiah 33:2-3....."This is what the LORD says, he who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it—the LORD is his name: 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.'

I am happy to announce that not only do I know it by heart, the hubs also knows it from memory (no kidding, go ahead, quiz us!). I am writing these verses in a little notebook and it has been sitting on our bathroom counter for 2 weeks. Gives me something to do while I am teasing my hair -just kidding (kinda). Having that verse in front of me while I am getting ready gives me something to meditate on AND starts my day off the way it should be started-- in the Word.

The second set of verses that I have chosen to memorize is a little longer, but memorizeable nonetheless (is memorizeable a word? spell check says no, but this is my blog and I can use imaginary words if I want to, right?). I decided to memorize Romans 8:31b-34 this time which says:

"If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us".

Why did I choose these verses?

*If God is for us, who can be against us?

We memorize scripture so we can recall it when we are facing temptations or circumstances....I need to remember that God is FOR me. Me and God? Yeah, we are on the same side. Ya see, sometimes I work against Him thinking that I can do His job better than He can. And every time I try that, I fail, so I need to remember whose side I am on and WHO is on my side. Makes the battles a lot easier to fight when you know which side you are on.

*He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?God, the One and Only God of the whole entire Universe, gave up His most prized possession, Jesus, for me. He allowed His precious Son to die for me even though He knew how vile, sinful, ugly, and evil I would be. He had to turn away because He couldn't bear the sight of what my sin did to His precious child and yet, He still allowed Jesus to die for someone like me. If He loved me enough to give up His beloved Son for me, it makes sense that He loves me enough to take care of all my needs. He allowed innocent Jesus to take my place and die like a common criminal on the cross, He must think I am worth saving, worth using for His glory.

*Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.It doesn't matter what the world says, my identity is in Christ. Let the world say what they want, I don't answer to the world. God chose me and He will defend me.

*Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Jesus is praying for me right now. He has been praying for me for years and will continue to pray for me until He calls me home. Jesus is sitting at God's right hand in the heavenlies mentioning my name to the Most High God. When we feel alone, burdened, devastated, unwanted, unappreciated... Jesus knows our deepest hurts and He is talking to His Father, our Father about them. That, my friends, is something I just cannot wrap my small mind around...it seems impossible that Jesus is praying for me.....but He is and He is praying for you too.

Jesus is praying for you right now. And if that doesn't bless you then nothing will.

Monday, January 12, 2009

So, in my last post I told you that the stomach bug had left our house. At the time I posted it, I thought it was true (absence of puke means "all better", right? Wrong). Unfortunately, there was more vomit to come. Kadenthrew his guts up was sick for 4 days last week. We actually stayed home from church yesterday just to be sure that he was REALLY better....and we NEVER stay home from church.

Since we weren't at church last night, we got to watch a show that I love, but never get to watch because it comes on Sunday nights while we are at church...Extreme Makeover Home Edition. I love the show, but I always hate it when the people come back to see their home and the first words that come out of their mouths are "Oh my God!". It seems that no one sees those words as blasphemous anymore....even some who claim to be Christians. I was glad to see that the family that was on last night did not say those words, but they were not the norm.

I was thinking about that this morning when I went on to Facebook and (not coincidentally) one of my Facebook friends, Barbara Cameron, had commented on something her daughter had posted called ohmygod.tv. It is really a great site and I think you guys will love it. People use those words way too often and without thought to what they are saying. God's name used in vain should cause a Christian to shudder, not just because it is a violation of the "Big Ten", but because it is a blatant, blasphemous offense to God Himself. If something is offensive to God, it should offend us as well.

Hope you all have a fabulous Monday....excuse me while I go do 17 loads of laundry from the past few days..................

Thursday, January 8, 2009

You will be glad to know that the stomach virus has left the building....well, it has left our house for the time being anyway (although my stomach is making strange noises that are causing me some concern). After reading the comments from Tuesday's post, I have a feeling that I didn't express myself very well in writing that day. Maybe I should try to explain myself a little better so that many of you (who are not regular readers) do not think I am unsaved and searching for....well, searching for God......... ;-) I mean at one time, like all of us, I was searching for Him and I found Him on November 16th, 1986. No, my search isn't to find God........What I AM searching for is a deeper understanding of Who He is. Who He REALLY is.

As I said Tuesday, one of my "New Year's Resolutions" is to know God better. I use the term resolution loosely, because I am famous for breaking resolutions by January 2nd or before. When I say "know God better", I mean know better WHO He is, REALLY know His TRUE nature, know more of His character........I believe God is urging me to get to know Him more intimately and dig deeper when it comes to knowing His character...I don't know why He keeps bringing this up to me at this point in my life, but I am sure He will reveal His purpose in His own time (and in case you were wondering, yes, I am a little concerned by what the outcome may be, but I have no control over it, so.....).

How many of us have not heard "God is good all the time/all the time God is good"? I have been to churches where the congregation repeats this phrase in every service. It is something that rolls off our tongues pretty easily, but are we just saying words or do we really believe that God is good all the time? It's easy to believe God is good when your life is free from trials, but do you believe God is good when your life is in turmoil?

Psalm 100:5 says,"For the LORD is good and his love endures FOREVER; his faithfulness continues through all generations." His love endures forever - His faithfulness continues through all generations......This verse requires us to look at the big picture and not simply what is happening today. The big picture is what most of us have a problem with. We understand the immediate and not the eternal......but when we are saved, we become citizens of heaven....the eternal city. We we are saved our bodies need to be reprogrammed from Daylight Savings time to Time Eternal. John 5:24 says, I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life". A saved person can no longer view life in light of this world, but must view their life in light of eternity.

When we are in the midst of terrible circumstances it is easy to be caught up in the "why's" and forget that God has control of time, space, the universe, AND our present circumstances. The big picture is hanging on the wall in God's office, He painted the big picture, and knows it like the back of His hand. When all we can see is our hurt and pain, God is studying the big picture and keeping His master plan for our lives in motion so that when all is said and done, we can look back over our lives and see the scenes in the tapestry that make up the big picture. In order to truly believe God is good all the time, we have to get over the "immediate", squint our eyes really tight and try to focus on the big picture. That, my friends, is a "hard teaching".

In Luke Jesus is talking to the rich young ruler and says, "'Why do you call me good?' Jesus answered. 'No one is good - except God alone." God is the standard for goodness. Should make us think next time we tell someone they are "good"........even Jesus said only God is good. Jesus may have been trying to give the young man a subtle hint without shouting "I AM God, silly". Or Jesus may have been warning the worldly young man not to be impressed by earthly credentials that might prevent him from pursuing the True God...back in that day, there were plenty of "credentialed teachers" that did not teach the Truth, but taught religion. Jesus may have been warning the man not to focus on imposters because God is the only one who is REALLY good. Either way, we are told that 'No one is good - except God alone'..........No one.

So, if we believe the Bible to be the inspired, inerrant Word of God. If we believe it is true down to the last jot and tittle, then we have to believe God is good all the time because His Word tells us that no one else IS good except Him. Our standard of good is completely off base. The meaning of the word good is not what we thought it was, because none of us can ever be good (even at our best we are not good). We can throw our ideas of what is good out the proverbial window......ONLY God is good. And since He said, "I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed." (Malachi 3:6 ).....I suppose the phrase "God is good all the time/all the time God is good" is VERY TRUE even when we cant see the big picture.